A revitalizing day Hivers!
Last week, together with hike buddies are planning to explore two of the caves in Tabogon. Unexpectedly, we have discovered another one with the aid of three active kids we found in Little Batanes. So, today I'm gonna share with you in one of our cave adventures and natural wonders of Tabogon. The Lapos-Lapos Cave.
Before going to a hike, I make sure that everything is set. I cooked food for breakfast while doing it, washes the dishes and soaking our laundry for when I come back, it's easy and ready for a big fight. After everything is set, I'm good to go. That's why I'm a bit late when we met at Caduawan. Good thing they didn't left me. Huhu (I'm sorry for the delay guys😅)
In going there, it's already hot even it's still past 6 in the morning. We have to ride with motorcycle to get near our destination. Even so, it's still far from the mountain.
We started to walk near Little Batanes, Ma'am Smile guided us for we don't know the way how to get there. Meanwhile, we underwent shortcut so we can get faster than expected. Lot of amorseco welcomed us and it's so itchy when sticking to our leggings. In my case, I endured the itchyness and didn't mind it, so I can continue walking, so do with them.
We passed a river in this journey and it's a kind of cold here. But we didn't stop to enjoy it's shed instead spontaneous hike along our way.
Steep and slope area of cogon grass made our hike even more tricky and exhausting because it's been a while we didn't do this due to call of work. Now we have time, it's a great come back and an enthusiastic day of back on track.
When we're already at the foot of the mountain, we had a difficulty of sight since our eyes are adjusting. From light to a dim forest. It's a bit creepy and scary because there's no path going there and snakes might came along our way. Good thing there's none. While Ma'am Smile familiarizing all the details of the way, Sir Mark Kim has to clean and make a path. Gladly he's also into this kind of hike so we have man in this journey.
After venturing the two caves, this way right here leads to another wonder of Tabogon. We were accompanied by the active and fearless kids. Actually, my legs on this hike are aching, my shoulders are in pain as well. But nothing can equal the experiences and gratitude we have in this exploration.
Lapos-Lapos Cave
Welcome to Cave Lapos-Lapos! It is our third destination of caving. I can identify and compare the three caves we have visited. This cave has so much to offer to the visitors like us. The never ending wow uttered in my mouth! It is just so picture perfect view of the cave that keeps me in awe. In my perception, it is called Lapos-Lapos because of its hole from left, right, center and anywhere. Wind can freely move everywhere, that's why it's fresh here unlike the other caves we went.
Lapos-Lapos in our dialect is "to get through or get across". People would also get through here anywhere they come or which hole they wanted to get in surely they can get in the same with others.
It has small holes in it. It is where the bat nestled. I can't attest if there's nest in it because it's too far however a number of bats we're visible when we come here, so it's possible there's active nest.
From it's ceiling, a grown Banyan roots tangled each other that forms a rope. I tried to reach and swing it. Yes I can! I can be a monkey now, hahaha. Anyway, they said that there are many monkeys inhabiting this area or around it's area. Since it's already morning, monkey would find foods to it's nearby place yet it's unfortunate for us we didn't able to meet and greet them in person.
Tabogon has plenty of natural wonders, not to mention the cave, spring, ocean, mountain, and natural sources of sugar, vinegar, and etc. Tabogon has so much to offer, that's why during the Suroy-suroy Sugbo, Tabogon is one of the most visited and has something to brag to the tourists. If this is near the municipality, tourists possibly come here and would preserve it's shape.
I haven't seen much stalagmites and stalactites in this cave and no sign of grabbing it's gem. There's a small spot of stalagmites and the color is white. Hopefully no person will get those because it will take more years before it formed to be a gem.
On the other hand, the cold fresh air we felt seems refreshing and once we sitted on the ground were lazy to go down now. I can feel the tiredness for we idle for almost one hour. And one who goes up has to go down, so we did.
It's a tiring journey to the cave yet fulfilling and justifiable. I'm always vocal to my colleagues that I really miss this kind of hike. I miss the morning sweat, the long hike trail, laughing and snacking with them after a long trek and most especially the bond. I have learned so much with this experience and I can say it's a sweet success!
